Bourne Elsea Park Church Of England Primary Academy
Striving For Excellence, Caring For All In a Loving And Caring Christian Environment.
Year 5’s Victorian Workhouse Schoolroom Experience
On Tuesday, 10th of September, Year 5 stepped back in time to experience life as Victorian children in a workhouse schoolroom. The classroom was transformed into a dimly lit Victorian schoolroom, complete with blacked-out windows and flickering candles. Miss Hornsby also underwent a dramatic change, embodying the strict and formidable character of a Victorian teacher, much like Mr. Barrack in their class novel Street Child.
Throughout the morning, the children were instructed to sit silently as they listened to the monotonous tones of Miss Hornsby reading The Adventures of Pinocchio, a classic tale first published in 1883. The stillness was only interrupted by the scratching sound of chalk on slate as the children practiced their times tables and completed handwriting exercises in the Victorian style, which demanded their utmost focus and precision.
The workhouse experience extended beyond the classroom, as the children participated in physical activities that mirrored the daily routines of Victorian schoolchildren. They engaged in rigorous drills and played traditional games such as hoop and stick, a popular pastime in the 19th century.
By the end of the morning, it became clear that life as a Victorian child was far from easy. The experience left the children with a deeper appreciation for the comforts of their modern school environment and a better understanding of the harsh realities faced by their Victorian peers.
This immersive experience will undoubtedly inspire Year 5 as they begin their next writing task: a diary entry from the perspective of Jim Jarvis, a Victorian child who lived in a workhouse. The vivid memories of the day will help them authentically capture the struggles, emotions, and lack of rights that Victorian children endured—an important contrast to the UNCRC that are so integral to their lives today.
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